Mountable securing mechanism for lace type footgear and method of using thereof

ABSTRACT

A mountable securing device temporarily affixed to existing lace type footgear providing an alternative easy and secure means for engagement and disengagement.

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/447,983, filed Feb. 18, 2003, whichapplication is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to a mountable securing mechanism, whichcan be engaged onto various lace types of footgear with temporaryaffixed fastening members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] All footgear, especially lace-type footgear, requires a firmtight fit to function properly, this is particularly true insports-related footwear where the gear has a tendency to loosen orbecome ill-fitted, resulting in a participant's foot sliding aroundwithin the given shoe or boot. This can cause a variety of medicalproblems ranging from minor surface sores or calluses to severe ligamentstrains and even bone deformities such as shin-splints. Further, when anattachment is made to the shoe or boot—e.g., skis, blades, or wheels—anymovement of the foot within the shoe or boot results in a loss of forcetransfer between the foot and the attachment resulting in a reduction inmobility and control.

[0004] This issue raises greater problems in children. Childrentypically either do not possess the requisite dexterity and ability tolace up footwear or are unwilling to take the necessary time to properlylace and secure the footwear, which in turn results in improperly lacedor tightened footwear, causing an increased chance of loosening of footand more importantly injury.

[0005] Over the years many different strategies have been employed toeliminate the need for lace type footgear and provide foot apparel thatcan be easily and securely engaged. Such examples include buckle typemechanisms, and Velcro® closures to name a few. The problem however isthat new footgear must be purchased to ensure a secure and easilyengageable closure, causing the consumer to purchase yet another pair offootgear, resulting in an expensive alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Accordingly, there exists a need for a securing or engagingmechanism that can be appropriately fastened to an existing lacefootgear, while allowing for easy engagement and disengagement,particularly for individuals with limited dexterity. As such, theobjective of the present invention is to produce a means for securing,using an alternative temporarily mountable device, which makes itpossible for lace type foot apparel or gear to be converted to footapparel which allows for easier engagement and disengagement. Therefore,a major feature of the securing mechanism, according to the invention isa means for temporarily mounting onto a variety of different types offoot apparel to facilitate an alternative fastening engagement anddisengagement. The present invention is based on known securing devices,however offers a novel means of using these devices and moreover, allowsfor a temporary secure alternative fastening means to already existingfootwear, which in turn is cost effective to the consumer.

[0007] Still another objective of the present invention is to providesuch a mountable securing device for engagement and disengagement usingthe existing lace holes of a boot or shoe facilitating an appropriatelytight and secure assembly of the gear onto the foot, which allows anindividual having limited hand strength and dexterity to quickly andeasily engage and disengage from a lace type footgear without having tophysically lace the gear.

[0008] The mountable securing device of the present invention includesmultiple alternative fastening means which are fashioned to be securelyand temporarily affixed onto the preexisting laced holes on a lace typeboot or shoe. The discussion of the present invention focuses on atleast three different securing embodiment, which allow for a securetemporary attachment facilitating an alternative and easier means forengagement and disengagement of an existing lace type footgear. Itshould be understood however that the present invention is not limitedto only these securing devices discussed, but instead allows for anytype of securing engagement, which can benefit from this type oftemporary mounting.

[0009] Moreover, although this discussion focuses on use of the presentinvention with a lace type boot or shoe, any similar lace type footapparel that requires a secure, tight fit may benefit through thepresent invention. Also, for purposes of illustration, the presentinvention is discussed in terms of lace holes which exist on lace footapparel; however, it should be understood that the temporarily mountablesecuring device discussed in the present invention, is not intended tobe limited to use with only lace holes, but instead can be temporarilymounted onto any type of footwear or other object which can benefit fromthe use of a secure and easy engaging and disengagement mechanism solong as the fastening means can be properly and securely affixed.

[0010] The invention may be utilized in a variety of ways including, butnot limited to, placement on downhill ski-boots, roller-skates, in-lineskates, ice-skates, athletics footgear and any other kind of lace typefootgear.

[0011] It is to be understood that other objects and advantages of thepresent invention will be made apparent by the following description ofthe drawings according to the present invention. While a preferredembodiment is disclosed, this is not intended to be limiting. Rather,the general principles set forth herein are considered merelyillustrative of the scope of the present invention and it is to befurther understood that numerous changes may be made without strayingfrom the scope of the present invention. These and other features andadvantages of the present invention will be apparent from the followingdetailed description, in conjunction with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The benefits and advantages of the present invention will becomemore readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant artafter reviewing the following detailed description and accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a cross section of the footgear with the mountablesecuring mechanism.

[0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mountable buckle device whenused on a lace-type boot.

[0015]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mountable buckle device in apartially opened position.

[0016]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the mountable buckle device infully closed position.

[0017]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mountable engagement devicesimilar to FIG. 1 and illustrating an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0018]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the mountable engagement devicesimilar to FIG. 2 and illustrating another alternative embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0019]FIG. 7 is a cross section of the footgear outlining an alternativesecuring mechanism.

[0020]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the mountable engagement devicesimilar to FIGS. 2 and 6 and illustrating yet another alternativeembodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment invarious forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter bedescribed a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding thatthe present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of theinvention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specificembodiment illustrated. It should be further understood that the titleof this section of this specification, namely, “Detailed Description OfThe Invention,” relates to a requirement of the United States PatentOffice, and does not imply, nor should be inferred to limit the subjectmatter disclosed herein.

[0022] In the present disclosure, the words “a” or “an” are to be takento include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any referenceto plural items shall, where appropriate, include the singular.

[0023] Referring now to the Figures, and in particular to FIG. 1, whichillustrates a cross section of the footgear outlining the mountablesecuring device 2 in connection with the footgear 4. In particular, thedrawing shows a buckle type securing mechanism 2, a first preferredembodiment of the present invention, in connection with two opposingportions of a footwear surface, having a plurality of openings, definedhere as the lace openings 8 and 10. Whereby said surfaces have a front 4a and back side 4 b. Although the present invention focuses particularlyon the lace openings 8 and 10 as the specific surface of connection tothe particular securing device, a surface of any type on the footapparel or gear 4, which enables securement of the securing device 2onto the footgear 4 can be used.

[0024] The key element of the securing mechanism 2 is best show inFIG. 1. Specifically, the securing mechanism 2 becomes affixed onto anexisting footgear 4, by engaging temporarily as well as securely ontothe opposing lace openings of the footgear 8 and 10, through the use ofa fastening assembly 6. The buckle securing device 2, encompasses a baseplate 12 having a relatively long and rectangular bowed or rounded shapeconforming to the shape of the apparel 4 to allow the base plate 12 andfootgear 4 to abut. The base plate assembly 12 has complementaryopenings to that of the lace opening 8 and 10 to further facilitateengagement through the use of fastening assembly 6, further defined by ahousing member 6 a adapted to fit complementary to the back surface 4 bof said footwear surface 4, and a engaging device 6 b adapted to fitcomplementary to the front surface 4 a of said footwear surface 4. Manyvarious fastening means 6 can be applied to the present invention suchas for example: rivets, pins, screws, hooks or any other suitable methodcan be utilized for affixing the buckle mechanism and can includeadhesion, plastic rivet, stitching and the like. One fastening means 6embodiment is particularly illustrated in FIG. 1 and depicts a nut andscrew combination whereby said nut 30 is inserted though the backportion of said lace openings 8 and 10 providing for the receivingscrew, rivet or pin 34. The fastening means 6, and in particular the nutand screw combination of the first embodiment enables the resulting in afirm and secure mounting of a base plate assembly 12 on the bucklesecuring device 34. The base plate 12 further includes a toothed strap14 having saw type teeth, and a spring loaded pawl 16 mounted betweenthe base plate 12 and held in position with a round pin 13. The pawl 16works in cooperation with the toothed strap 14 and facilitates theadjustment, increasing or decreasing the span between the opposing laceholes 8 and 10 of the footgear 4, which positively engages the toothedstrap 14 to the base plate 12.

[0025] Once securely affixed onto the footgear, the buckle type securingdevice 2 easily engages and disengages by a pivotable motion. Thepivotable motion is best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, which shows witharrows, the direction of movement resulting in the tightening orloosening between lace openings 8 and 10. Specifically, the engagementand disengagement of the buckle type securing device is enabled by therotational movement and the relationship between the pawl 16, thetension spring 17 and toothed strap 14, all working in cooperation. Theconsistent pressure of the pawl 16 to the toothed strap 14 will maintainthe base plate 12 in a desired, fixed and secure position. The hinged,toothed tensioning lever 18 is connected between the base plate andpivots around the lever pin 19. The tensioning lever 18 receives thecable loop 20 in one of the hook shaped teeth. With a forward pressingmotion down on the tensioning lever 18 the final clamping is completeand the securing mechanism is fully engaged and locked as shown in FIG.4.

[0026] The second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6. As in the previous embodiment the securing device isaffixed to the footgear through the use of the fastening means 6, whichin cooperation with the securing device and footgear provide a secureand temporarily mountable alternative engaging and disengaging device.In this particular embodiment, the securing device 2 is a strap-typeengagement which includes one continuous strap 24 having a means ofengagement on its outer surface 26 and inner surface 26 a which joineach other to facilitate securement of the strap 24 when overlapped. Theengaging surfaces of the strap 26 and 26 a may consist of a variety ofmaterials which when joined together provide a secure engagement, suchas for example Velcor® or adhesive. The fastening means 6 as illustratedin FIGS. 5 and 6 depict a typical nut and screw combination however asstated previously a variety of different fasteners can be utilized solong as they facilitate secure engagement such as for example: rivets,pins, screws, hooks or any other suitable method can be utilized foraffixing the buckle mechanism and can include adhesion, plastic rivet,stitching and the like. Particularly, as shown in FIG. 5 the means forfastening 6 includes a nut 30 is inserted though the back portion ofsaid lace openings 8 and 10 providing for the receiving screw, rivet orpin 34. The fastening means 6, and in particular the nut and screwcombination of the second embodiment enables the resulting in a firm andsecure mounting of the strap type securing device to the footgear 4.

[0027] The engagement of the securing mechanism is realized by bringingthe strap 24 through the receiving loop 28, firmly pulling the strap 24which will bring forth tensioning between lace openings 8 & 10. Engagingthe surfaces of 26 & 26 a by joining them together, will maintain thetension between lace openings 8 & 10 and result in a secure condition.

[0028] The third embodiment of the present invention is best illustratedin FIGS. 7 & 8. In this particular embodiment, the securing mechanism 2consists of two primary components affixed to the footgear 4. A hook 32is attached to the top part of the footgear 4 utilizing the existinglace holes on the surface of the footgear 4. A screw, rivet or pin 34 isinserted through the bottom of the lace openings 8 & 10 firmly securingthe hook 32 to the footgear. The hooks 32 could be used in place of allor part of the existing lace holes. A standard shoelace is used totighten together the opposing ends of the footgear 4.

We claim:
 1. A mountable securing device for fastening footwear, comprising: (a) at least two opposing surfaces on said footwear, whereby each surface having a plurality of openings, said openings having a front and back surface; (b) a pair of fastening assemblies having a housing member and a engaging device; (c) a base having at least two complementary openings to said footwear surface openings; (d) said base having a securing means; (e) said housing member adapted to complementary fit to the back of said footwear surface opening; and (f) said engaging device adapted to complementary fit to said front surface of said footwear surface opening; (g) whereby when said housing member engages said engaging device said securing means of said base is enabled fastening said footwear.
 1. A mountable securing device of claim 1, whereby said engaging device of said fastening assembly is a receiving screw.
 2. A mountable securing device of claim 1, whereby said footwear further comprising lace-type footwear.
 3. A mountable securing device of claim 1, whereby said fastening assembly is selected from a group consisting of a nut, rivet, pin, screw and hook.
 4. A mountable securing device of claim 1, whereby said securing means of said base is one continuous surface adapted for engagement.
 5. A mountable securing device of claim 1, whereby said securing means of said base having at least two surfaces adapted for engagement.
 6. A mountable securing device of claim 5, whereby said continuous surface overlaps securing engagement.
 7. A mountable securing device of claim 1, wherein said base further comprises a locking member pivotally connected between said footwear surfaces. 